I work in an OB/GYN practice and am fortunate to provide prenatal care to women. Here's a peek behind the scenes that might explain why 67% of physicians surveyed favor insurance reform and a public option.

This is not covered. This is the common sentence in the numerous faxes...

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..... It was the Christmas season and I was at a holiday gathering at one of my husband's work friends. I had finished working a 12-hour shift in the Pediatric ICU. I changed into something festive and was looking...

The American Academy of Pediatrics has done a great job encouraging moms to breastfeed their babies exclusively for the first 6 months of life. As it turns out, very few moms are able to do this. Some estimates are that about 25-30% of moms are still breastfeeding at 6 months...

When the swine flu hits, it can be like a tsunami of symptoms or it can be mild. One of my patients, Kate (not her real name) related the following to help others know what they might experience. She was the ideal sick person, she did everything right!

Kate first...

I recently spoke to a nurse who works in Afghanistan providing women health care. She related a story that I've heard repeatedly, which causes me to shake my head in disbelief. She's teaching new mothers about the importance breastfeeding in the first few days of life. In her village infant...

Today, I braced myself as I turned on the computer to head to the CDC website for the latest updates. As a mother, I didn't want to read about another mother's tragedy and heartache. As most of us, working in the trenches, had feared, the worst had happened. A 23-month-old...

Many of my friends are calling today, worried about Swine Flu, what it is and what they should do to protect themselves and their families.

First, do not panic.
This is what we know:

There have been 20 cases confirmed in the US - NONE HAVE DIED, and...

If it's a good idea for a racehorse, then you can bet it's probably a great idea for humans.

A recent article by Tracy Gantz posted on Bloodhorse.com reported that researchers are now recommending that owners and breeders of thoroughbreds consider banking the umbilical cord stem cells from...

When you do a Google search for Rocket fuel, you find lots of interesting information and a few unexpected little gems. Apparently there are recipes for Rocket fuel chicken that can be spiced up to be Mexican or Thai. In case you're wondering, they don't add rocket fuel, that's just...

Welcome to the Generic Swap Meet!

Also known as health care in the United States. Guess what? It doesn't matter where your doctor, nurse practitioner or PA went to school, or how much time they spent taking your health history or examining you. Don't worry about those little details....

Happy Valentines Day!

Everyone is talking about how to be a good, romantic valentine. How about something different today? How about How to be a Bad Valentine. This is a woman's perspective and directed at men.

Most women I know say that...

This weekend, I went to a yoga class with some friends. I haven't been to a yoga class in 13 years, and things have changed. First, the clothes are a lot cuter now. 2nd, the mats come in ice-cream and M & M colors. It was a serene Yoga Studio,...

Playing Wii & Brain Power

My 13-year old invited me to play a Star Wars Wii Game with him. Have you ever tried to do this? Here's the deal for those of you who aren't used to using a Wii nunchuck in one hand and a controller in the other.

As part of my post on Election Obsession, I was interviewed by CNN. Recently they asked me about an update from people who had been obsessed with the Election. As Nurse Barb, I sent out a survey to people who might have been obsessed with the election about...

I am still scratching my head about something. The undecided voters. Who are these people?

Please help me understand who they are and what they're like. Are they the same folks who torture waitresses because they can't decide between the Cesear salad with grilled chicken or the penne pasta...

Accidental Pregnancy: Some consequences

The debates brought up an important women's health concern: Accidental pregnancy and abortion. When John McCain talked about the "Health of the Mother", I thought about all the women I've worked with over the years. As a practicing women's health nurse practitioner, I've worked for over...

I'm coining a new acronym. You read it here FIRST!

OCED: Obsessive Compulsive Election Disorder.

In this particular psychological response to variables, the person is unable or unwilling to tear themselves away from media coverage of the upcoming election.

Reports are flooding in from every corner of the...